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2014
TC07222014_Lacrosse
The Big "I" provides numerous resources to assist consumer and general business writers, editors and producers with insurance-related or small business-related stories. IIABA has knowledgeable staff sources as well as hundreds of local agent spokespeople located in communities across the nation who are available to answer questions from reporters and serve as news sources on insurance-related consumer issues.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 18, 2014—Poor road conditions have cost consumers and the insurance industry at least $27 billion over the last five years, according to a 2014 survey commissioned by Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”). The survey also reveals that half of car owners have experienced damage to their vehicles as a result of potholes. As millions of Americans take to the roads for the holidays, Trusted Choice® urges drivers to be cautious now and throughout the winter.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 17, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today released the following statement by Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, regarding the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass S. 2244, the “Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014” and the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (NARAB II) legislation.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 10, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing an amendment in the nature of a substitute to S. 2244, the “Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014.” The legislation would extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) program for six years and includes the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (NARAB II) legislation that would establish a permanent NARAB.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 10, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big "I") applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing S. 2270, the "Insurance Capital Standards Clarification Act of 2014." The legislation was passed by the full House this evening by unanimous consent.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Dec. 4, 2014 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, is pleased to announce that Clarissa A. Preston, CIC, APIR, MBA, has joined its national board. Preston is a government affairs advisor with Adams and Reese LLP, and works from their Baton Rouge, Louisiana office. She also serves on the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) board of directors and as Louisiana Surplus Line Association executive director.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 19, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today submitted testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance at a hearing entitled, “Opportunities for a Private and Competitive Sustainable Flood Insurance Market.”

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 6, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that its political action committee, InsurPac, distributed more than $1.8 million in the 2014 campaign cycle resulting in a 93% congressional victory rate.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Nov. 5, 2014 — The number of independent insurance agencies has remained stable, the system as a whole is dynamic and business conditions continue to improve, according to the 2014 Agency Universe Study (AUS).

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 23, 2014 —The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) presented the inaugural Outstanding Young Agent of the Year award to Kelli Dean of the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG). Dean is vice president of Physicians Insurance Services, an Athens-based independent insurance agency specializing in medical professional liability insurance.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 21, 2014 — Halloween is less than two weeks away and many consumers may not realize how frightening this scary night could really be for their personal safety, their property or their bank accounts. Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents can help families and businesses better prepare for Halloween hazards that may come in disguise or under the cloak of dark.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 20, 2014 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, is pleased to announce that Bruce Winterburn has joined its national board. Winterburn is Vertafore vice president of industry relations.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 2, 2014 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has released its 2014 Best Practices Study which found slowed revenue growth rates and an increase in profitability in some of the study’s six revenue groups.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 25, 2014 —The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) presented its most prestigious annual award today to the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia during the annual Fall Leadership Conference in Grand Rapid, Michigan.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 16, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 5461, the “Insurance Capital Standards Clarification Act of 2014.” The legislation was passed by the full House today in a procedure called “suspension of the rules” which is designed for bills that have strong, bipartisan support.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 15, 2014 – A Trusted Choice® media buy on major cable networks starts airing this month on the Fox News Channel featuring a new ad that uses humor to point out that independent insurance agents are not held captive by one company and, therefore, can find the best policy for a customer.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 13, 2014 — David Walker was inaugurated today as the new chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”), with Randy Lanoix as chairman-elect, Spencer Houldin as vice chairman and Jon Jensen as an at-large executive committee member. The new officers begin their terms at the conclusion of the board meeting held in conjunction with the Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference this weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 12, 2014 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, exceeded its goal of 15,000 Facebook “shares” during the month of August in its fourth annual social media campaign to raise money for Make-A-Wish®.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 18, 2014 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, is excited to announce that all Chicago Public School Career and Technical Education (CTE) finance programs will now offer its curriculum to seniors. The program is a key incentive in attracting new talent to the insurance industry.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 7, 2014 – The Trusted Choice®-themed custom motorcycle designed by the renowned Orange County Choppers to raise money for Make-A-Wish® was recently purchased by the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (MIIAB) for $35,000 after two years of touring the country to raise money and awareness for the children’s charity. MIIAB will continue to display it at agent events.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 1, 2014 –- Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, is proud to announce the fourth annual summer social media campaign to raise money for Make-A-Wish®. For every “share” from the Trusted Choice® Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TrustedChoice) during the month of August, Trusted Choice® will donate $10 to Make-A-Wish.

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 30, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today commended the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development for conducting a hearing entitled, “The Flood Insurance Claims Process in Communities After Sandy: Lessons Learned and Potential Improvements.”

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today submitted testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security at a hearing entitled, “Insuring our Future: Building a Flood Insurance Program We Can Live With, Grow With, and Prosper With.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 22, 2014 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, was the presenting sponsor of the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Lacrosse Championships July 10-19 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 18, 2014 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has awarded $87,000 in scholarships to 70 students pursuing insurance-related degrees, breaking previous scholarship records. The program is a key incentive in attracting new talent to the insurance industry.

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 17, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today praised the U.S. Senate for passing S. 2244, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014 by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.), in a 93-4 vote. An amendment that added the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers legislation (NARAB II) was also included in the final version of the bill.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 9, 2014 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, is the presenting sponsor of the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Lacrosse Championships to be held July 10-19 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 8, 2014 – The InVEST program awarded Tom Davis, CPCU, Travelers underwriting officer, with the Dach Award which honors an insurance industry volunteer who has made tremendous contributions in fostering the growth and development of InVEST. The InVEST program is a key driver to attract new talent to the insurance industry.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 27, 2014 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, and the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia (IIAV) have teamed up with the Potomac Nationals baseball team to benefit Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic with a second annual Potomac Nationals Trusted Choice Night on Sunday, June 29 at 6:05 p.m. in Woodbridge, Va.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 20, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today praised the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services for reporting H.R. 4871, the “TRIA Reform Act of 2014,” for consideration by the full House.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 20, 2014 – Adam W. Zupkoff, who teaches at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fla., is the 2014 InVEST Teacher of the Year Award. The program is a key driver to attract new talent to the insurance industry.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 19, 2014—A new national survey reveals that an alarming number of car owners have experienced damage to their vehicles as a result of potholes over the last five years. Poor road conditions have cost consumers and the insurance industry at least $27 billion in that time period, according to the survey commissioned by Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”).

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 18, 2014 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, is the presenting sponsor of the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Lacrosse Championships to be held July 10-19 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 13, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external and government affairs:

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 3, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today praised the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking for reporting S. 2244, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014 by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.), to the full Senate for consideration.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 20, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today submitted testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance at a hearing entitled, “Legislative Proposals to Reform Domestic Insurance Policy.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 29, 2014 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom- to- career education program, recently announced that Wendy Sabean has joined its national board. Sabean is director of training at Safeco Insurance, a Liberty Mutual Insurance company.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 24, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has awarded the 2013 Sidney O. Smith Award to Mike Wojcik, senior vice president and principal of The Horton Group in Chicago. The award is the association’s highest individual government affairs honor.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 22, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has submitted official written comments to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the recently proposed federal regulations regarding navigators and similar assisters under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 17, 2014 — Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Republican Conference and the fourth ranking leader in the House, recently addressed the association’s Large Agent/Broker and CEO dinner.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 17, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today issued the following response to a report issued by President Barack Obama’s Working Group on the Long-Term Availability and Affordability of Insurance for Terrorism Risk. The comments are by Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 15, 2014 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Young Agents Committee (YAC) raised more than $48,000 this year for InVEST, a one-of-a-kind financial literacy program that educates high school and college students about insurance, risk management and financial services. This contribution brings the InVEST scholarship fund to a program record of more than $111,000.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 9, 2014—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today announced that U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) is the Gerald Solomon-IIABA Legislator of the Year for 2013.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 3, 2014 — The Big “I” today applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 2575, the “Save American Workers Act of 2013,” by Rep. Todd Young (R-Ind.), in a bipartisan vote.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 28, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Kelly McDonald, president of McDonald Marketing, will address the Big “I” membership on Friday, April 11, at 8:00 a.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 19, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) will address the association’s Large Agent/Broker and CEO dinner on April 10 during the Big “I” Legislative Conference.

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 4, 2014 — The Big “I” applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 3370, the “Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013,” by Reps. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) this evening under “suspension of the rules” requiring a two-thirds vote in favor.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 28, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America is announcing the retirement of Jeff Yates, a 39-year veteran of the association who most recently served as Agents Council for Technology (ACT) executive director. Since 1975, Yates has served in numerous capacities within the association.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 20, 2014 – The Cumberland Insurance Group is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers. Cumberland, headquartered in Bridgeton, N.J., has joined 69 leading companies nationwide as a Trusted Choice® company partner.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 4, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) applauds today’s passage of the Conference Report to S.954, “The Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013,” in the U.S. Senate in a 68-32 vote. The House passed the legislation in a 251-166 vote on Jan. 29.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan 29, 2014 — The Big “I” applauds today’s passage of the Conference Report to H.R. 2642, the “Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013,” in the U.S. House of Representatives in a 251-166 vote. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next month.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 10, 2014 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, has teamed up with Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties to help grant Jonah’s one true wish. The 15-year-old from Ojai, Calif. will be presented with his own skate park wish on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 12:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 7, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that its political action committee (PAC), InsurPac, raised a total of $1,007,668 during the 2013 calendar year.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 22, 2014 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, was the presenting sponsor of the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Lacrosse Championships July 10-19 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

As the presenting sponsor, Trusted Choice® was highly visible at the stadium location and vendor village, on the game fields through large sponsor signs on the sidelines and the jumbotron, and through clever giveaways such as branded fans, sun glasses and lip balm. Trusted Choice® was mentioned and visible hundreds of times on ESPN and other media coverage of the games. There was also recognition via the Trusted Choice® player of the game covered extensively on ESPN, and the Trusted Choice® fan of the game.

Like the soccer World Cup, the World Lacrosse Championships are held just once every four years. Fans were able to watch the games on ESPN 2, ESPN U and online. The final game between the United States and Canada took place Saturday evening. The Canadians defeated the world champion U.S. team 8-5.

“Sponsoring the 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championship was a wonderful opportunity for Trusted Choice® to showcase our tradition of supporting sports on a national and international stage,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Trusted Choice® president and Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) president & CEO. “From hundreds of Little League baseball teams to the annual Trusted Choice® Big ‘I’ National Championship junior golf tournament, to a PGA tour sponsor, Trusted Choice® and the Big ‘I’ have a long history of supporting sports at all levels and it was an honor to support the hundreds of athletes and fans from around the world who gathered in Colorado July 10-19 for the largest lacrosse event in the history of the sport.”

Lacrosse is the fastest growing team sport in the United States–even faster than soccer–and has spread to every corner of the country. The World Championships provide a unique and powerful marketing opportunity for the largest brand of independent insurance agents and brokers in the United States. The demographics of the lacrosse community tend to parallel the Trusted Choice® target audience in most markets. The ESPN family of networks broadcast 43 games during the 10-day event on ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3. The broadcasts were also distributed internationally to those ESPN affiliates that want the programming. In addition, nearly 450,000 US Lacrosse members received Trusted Choice® messages via email and more than 100,000 people attended the games in Colorado.

Since the start of this international competition format in 1967, this is only the third time the United States has hosted the games and the first time it has been West of Baltimore. The United States was the reigning World Champion (2010 in Manchester, England) and has been historically dominant having won the gold medal in all but two championships since 1967. The championship takes place every four years and was hosted and managed by US Lacrosse, the sport’s National Governing Body.

“We are pleased and fortunate to have Trusted Choice® as the presenting sponsor of the 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championships,” said Bill Schoonmaker, US Lacrosse vice president of strategy & business development. “Their commitment to quality and independence is a fantastic fit for our event and we look forward to working with them and their national network of independent agents.”

The list of countries, the final results of the entire series and much more information is available on the World Championship website, which is http://www.worldlacrosse2014.com.Trusted Choice® was launched by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) and several independent agency companies to highlight the benefits independent agencies and brokerage firms offer consumers—choice of companies, customization of policies and advocacy support. It is the premier consumer brand for independent insurance agents and provides national advertising and other strategic tools to reach consumers. Trusted Choice® is the consumer marketing identity for more than 25,000 independent insurance agencies and brokerage firms and 70 leading insurance and financial services companies. For more information, go to www.TrustedChoice.com.

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse and the home of the nation’s fastest-growing team sport. US Lacrosse has more than 425,000 members in 67 regional chapters across the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse provides programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the sport. Bookmark, like and follow US Lacrosse at uslacrosse.org, fb.com/uslacrosse and @uslacrosse, respectively.